Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Named One of Time's Women of the Year

advocate.com:

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has been honored as one of Time’s Women of the Year for making history as the first trans actor to win a Golden Globe and to have earned an Emmy nomination in the category of leading actor, for her turn as Blanka Evangelista on Pose.In an interview with the publication, Rodriguez opened up about what seeing someone like her, an Afro­Latina trans woman, on the list would have meant to her growing up.“When I was younger, I didn’t have representation for anyone of color in the LGBTQI community,” she said, adding that now she wants to be that example for others. “I want to show them that it’s possible.”Rodriguez’s first big role was in an off-Broadway production of Rent, followed by her breakout star turn on Pose.

The series, which featured the largest trans cast in TV, ended its historical run last year and introduced a wide audience to a greater understanding of trans people.“People have this idea of how trans women of color, trans women, and women, in general, are supposed to navigate this world.

I want to break that down,” she explained. “I want people to see what I am before I’m trans, before I’m Black, before I’m Latina.

I want people to see I’m human.”In the accompanying video, Rodriguez also opened up about her womanhood journey and the women who’ve inspired her along the way.“There were so many perceptions that I had to womanhood,” she said. “Every girl does whether she’s trans or not.”“I thought it was… being this hyper effeminate vision for people to see, to understand my womanhood, and as time went on I realized that’s not the case.